Arch support



Dec. 31, 1929. I w. M. SCHOLL 1,741,341

ARCH SUPPORT Fil'ed March 6, 1926 Patented Dec. 31, 1929 UNITED STATES WILLIAM M. SCHOLL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS ARCH SUPPORT Application filed March 6, 1926. Serial No. 92,699.

This invention relates to a surgical insole or arch support and more particularly to a construction of metal insole wherein the forward bearing point of the insole is reinforced.

In using surgical insoles or flat foot braces formed, as is usual, of an arched metal plate, there is danger of the forward edge turning upwards and injuring the foot of the wearer. Furthermore, long continued use of surgical insoles tends to wear their bearing edges eX tremely thin, or even to a knife edge, which may easily cause damage to the hosiery of the wearer and also to the insole of his shoe.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a surgical insole having a reinforced forward edge to prevent excessive wear at that point.

It is a further object of this invention to so reinforce the forward edge of a surgical insole that the thereby stiffened end will have increased corrective power where it comes into contact with the portion of the foot known as the metatarsophalangeal articulations.

Other and further objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and accompanying drawings.

The invention in a preferred form is illus trated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a surgical insole embodying the principles of my invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line IIIIII of Figure 1.

As shown on the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 indicates a plate, preferably of metal, curved and shaped to fit the sole of the foot. Said plate 1 is, of course, adapted to be worn inside of ones shoe for correcting the foot and for that reason conforms in general to the inside of a shoe, having a heel portion 2. an arch portion 3 and a forward metatarsal supporting portion 6. Said portion 6 slants downwardly and forwardlv toward its forward transverse edge 7.

In order to prevent the forward edge 7 of portion 6 from wearing thin, I provide a fiat reinforcing strip 4, also preferably of metal, which may be suitably held in position by means of rivets 5, or other fastening means. In place of the transverse, full width strip 4, I may use a plurality of semi-circular or triangular pieces riveted or welded to the insole adjacent said forward edge.

One of the evident advantages of such a reinforced insole is that the liability of the forward edge turning up and injuring the foot of the wearer is negligible. Nor is there such great danger of damage to the hosiery or to the inner sole of the shoe of the wearer. A further very important advantage is that the strength and rigidity imparted by the reinforcing strip to the forward edge of the insole makes it possible to secure desired adjustments in form and curvature with the assurance that such adjustments will be of a permanent nature. That is to say, due to the increased rigidity of the forward edge of the device, the insole will be enabled to better maintain the position or the particular form to which it has been adjusted.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the character described, a sole-shaped metallic plate, and means secured to said plate so as to underlie the forward margin thereof, said means following the general contour of said margin and strengthening said plate so that the same will maintain a contour to which it has been adjusted.

2. In a device of the character described, a sole-shaped metallic plate, and a metallic member underlying the forward margin of v said plate and secured to said plate, said member following the general contour of said margin and imparting increased corrective power to said plate in that portion thereof which would underlie the metatarsophalangeal region of a foot.

3. In a device of the character described, a sole-shaped metal plate having a forwardly and downwardly extending anterior portion, and a relatively stiff member underlying the forward margin of said plate and secured thereto, said member terminating with said plate and following the general contour thereof, said member strengthening said plate and preventing the same from Wearing to a degree that Would prove injurious to the shoe or hose of a, user of said device.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

WILLIAM M. SCHOLL. 

